Duck! New 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang Packs 540hp "Punch"

by Robert Farago

Published: January 1st, 2009

duck new 2010 ford shelby gt500 mustang packs 540hp punch

These highly-horsed Mustangs are a handful. I think I’ve called them death cars. But it appears that issue has been addressed. The official New Year’s Day press release tells us that “the 2010 Shelby GT500 is an estimated 2 miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway.” No wait. That’s not it. “The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobras from the 1960s, takes those design cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each of which boasts a more-refined interior.” No wait; that’s the bit where they piss on the 500KR. “Spring and dampers have been optimized for better roll control, giving customers more confidence when braking, accelerating or turning. The new chassis tuning takes its philosophy from the KR program, with a greater emphasis placed on primary body control. The team also stiffened the steering shaft.” Not convinced? “Another obvious difference for the Shelby is the addition of racing stripes, which also will now be available on the convertible. ‘Racing stripes made their mark on 1960s-era Ford performance vehicles,’ Hameedi notes. ‘That’s something we feel is a key part of the Shelby performance DNA – maybe more so than some of our competition.'” Failing that, “Standard safety equipment includes: dual stage front air bags, side-impact air bags and Ford’s Personal Safety System.”

Robert Farago

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2 of 10 comments

JG on Jan 01, 2009

Yeah I'd rather have a Cobalt since I drive mostly on the track, and it's better there... ...

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Briandfromo.p. on Jan 01, 2009

What exactly makes a stripe a "racing" stripe?

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